Current News

WASHINGTON, DC - Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Kentucky, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, has issued the following statement regarding last night's election of Donald Trump as President-Elect.

After a hard-fought presidential election, Bishop Richard J. Malone offers a reflection and prayer for the United States to come together in a special episode of "Consider This."

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - After Donald Trump pulled off what was for many a surprising victory in the United States election, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin offered his prayers that the new president-elect would promote peace in a world torn by conflict.

WASHINGTON, DC (CNA) - As Americans across the country prepare to step into the voting booth today, what are the most important principles for Catholics seeking to form their consciences according to Church teaching?

After a Jubilee Year filled with mercy, Bishop Richard J. Malone encouraged Catholics to continue practicing compassion and forgiveness during an evening prayer service Sunday at St. Joseph Cathedral in Buffalo.

Sister Donna Butler, OSF, of the Sisters of St. Francis in Stella Niagara, died Nov. 3, 2016, at the Stella Niagara Health Center, at age 83.

An audio pilgrimage to parishes where St. John Neumann ministered in our diocese.

Throw your political affiliation out the window. But you're a loyal Democrat. Or perhaps instead, you're a loyal Republican. Never mind that. Your political affiliation is not that important.

Can there be any doubt that this election cycle has been unlike any other that we have seen in many years? Both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, we are told, have had historically unfavorable ratings, and have engendered stronger dislike than past candidates. And some observers remark that these two candidates have succeeded in polarizing our country to a greater extent than it was before the primaries began.

As the Catholic world prepares to close out the Jubilee Year of Mercy, the Diocese of Buffalo will hold several ceremonies to mark the closing of the diocesan Mercy Doors. On Nov. 1, one week before the official end of the Year of Mercy, the seven churches in the diocese will ceremoniously close their Holy Doors.

WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) will gather for Mass at St. Peter Claver Church in Baltimore during the first day of their fall general assembly. During the assembly, taking place November 14-16, the bishops will elect a new president and vice president, hear a report and recommendations on promoting peace in violence-stricken communities, and vote for the chairmen-elect of five committees. The bishops will also vote on the Conference's 2017-2020 strategic plan, Encountering the Mercy of Christ and Accompanying His People with Joy.

Father Sean E. DiMaria has taken on the additional responsibilities as pastor of Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph Parish, Belmont, and St. Mary Parish, Bolivar, for a term of six years. He previously served as the priest moderator for both parishes. Father DiMaria continues his duties as pastor of Immaculate Conception, Wellsville; Blessed Sacrament, Andover; and SS. Brendan & Jude, Almond-Alfred, making him pastor of half the Catholic parishes in Allegany County. Bishop Richard J. Malone announced the appointment was effective Sept. 1.

ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE (CNA/EWTN News) - During a press conference Tuesday aboard the papal plane from Sweden to Rome, Pope Francis said the issue of women priests has been clearly decided, while also clarifying the essential role of women in the Catholic Church.

WASHINGTON, DC - The annual Retirement Fund for Religious collection will be held Dec. 10-11 in most U.S. parishes. Now in its 29th year, the collection is coordinated by the National Religious Retirement Office (NRRO) and benefits nearly 33,000 elderly Catholic sisters, brothers and religious order priests whose religious communities lack adequate retirement funding.

It's a common experience for bishops. Often enough, after we have addressed some controversial moral issue (which may also be a neuralgic political issue), we get mail. This intensifies during an election season. No surprise there.

What is Halloween and All Souls Day? Bishop Richard Malone explains what it means to Catholics in "Consider This."

The Works of Mercy at St. Luke's Mission of Mercy with co-directors, Amy Betros and Norm Paolini.

Most Reverend Richard J. Malone, bishop of Buffalo, will celebrate the 1,050th anniversary of Poland's Christianity during a Christ the King Eucharistic Celebration on Sunday, November 20 at 10:30 a.m.

Bishop Richard J. Malone, bishop of Buffalo, will officially close the Jubilee Year of Mercy here in the Diocese of Buffalo, on Sunday, Nov. 6, with an evening prayer service at 4 p.m. at St. Joseph Cathedral, 50 Franklin St., Buffalo. All are welcome.

As part of the official humanitarian agency of the Church, aid workers of Catholic Relief Services travel the globe to provide food, shelter, education and other needs to fellow human beings. One man whom CRS touched is Thomas Awiapo, formerly an orphaned child in Ghana, who credits the agency with changing his life and providing him with an education at a CRS-sponsored school after losing most of his family to starvation.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith released an instruction Tuesday regarding burial and cremation, reiterating the Church's teaching that cremation, while strongly discouraged, can be permissible under certain restrictions - and that scattering the ashes is forbidden.

WASHINGTON, DC - The annual collection for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) will be held in most parishes the weekend of November 19-20, on the Solemnity of Christ the King and the close of the Jubilee Year of Mercy.

Every Friday at 2 p.m., Father Ivan Trujillo, pastor of Resurrection Parish in Batavia, conducts a special Mass for veterans and their family members living at the nearby New York State Veterans Home, located on Richmond Avenue. For 21 years, this Mass has been a tradition at the facility, home to 126 residents, including veterans of World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, and their family members.

On Oct. 23, Bishop Richard J. Malone celebrated a special Mass at St. Rose of Lima Church in North Buffalo for World Mission Sunday, the day the Catholic Church has designated to recognize the many contributions of missionaries serving both in the United States and abroad. This week, the Sunday collections at all diocesan parishes went toward various international missions of the Catholic Church.

On October 28-30, the African Commission of the Diocesan of Buffalo will sponsor a retreat and thanksgiving bazaar at Holy Cross Church, 345 7th St., Buffalo. The retreat will be held Friday, Oct. 28, and Saturday, Oct. 29, from 6-9 p.m. On Sunday, Oct. 30, following a 10 a.m. Mass with Bishop Richard J. Malone, there will be bazaar until 3 p.m. All are invited to attend.

The most important words in a wedding might be "I do," but the most important words to a marriage are, "please," "thank you" and "sorry."

Dozens of 11, 12 and 13-year-old students were urged to shout out the word "No' inside of Saint Mark's Church on Tuesday morning. They did it at the urging of Bishop Richard J. Malone, bishop of Buffalo, who was stressing to them the dangers of substance abuse as part of Red Ribbon Week.

TONAWANDA ­— ­­Not every birthday is celebrated with cake and singing, "Happy Birthday to You." At Cardinal O'Hara High School, the Booster Club, starting its 44th year, celebrates every time someone calls out, "Bingo!"

A discussion of Faithful Citizenship and public policy ahead of the upcoming election.

HAMBURG — A group of 13 physical education teachers from Diocese of Buffalo schools learned how to pump up their P.E. programs in a special physical education conference, held last month at SS. Peter and Paul School, Hamburg, and sponsored by Catholic Schools Athletic Department. This fast-paced session allowed many physical education favorites from upper- and lower-grade levels to be shared with the diocesan faculty.

Imagine an evil that is so widespread that it affects over 21 million people worldwide, but is hardly ever talked about. Imagine that same evil to be the third-most profitable form of organized crime, right after drugs and weapons trades, with close to $150 billion in illicit annual revenue - and yet it is almost never addressed as an issue.

In his latest book, Catholic author Matthew Kelly explores why people cannot be satisfied in today's world. "Resisting Happiness" takes a look at the choice people make to not do what they should, things that will bring them inner peace.

During October, those of us who cherish God's gift of life prayerfully look to both heaven and earth for encouragement and inspiration. We pray, celebrate successes and share stories that encourage us in the cultural struggles we face.

As the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy officially comes to a close this month, there are a few more events that will take place at St. Leo the Great Church in Amherst. Pope Francis has decreed the Holy Year will conclude on Nov. 20.

WASHINGTON, DC (CNA/EWTN News) - In the final presidential debate on Wednesday, the major party candidates were pressed to explain their positions on abortion. Hillary Clinton defended her earlier support of partial-birth abortion, while Donald Trump reiterated the assertion that he is pro-life.

Sister Mary Pauline Pasierb died Oct. 15, 2016, in Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo. She was 84.

This past week, I heard that the son of a classmate of mine suddenly died of what seems to be a drug overdose. The family, as you may imagine, is devastated. His aunt came to visit me shortly after the funeral and it was so obvious how much pain and suffering her family was going through.

On Oct. 15, Bishop Richard J. Malone presided over the second-ever Blue Mass at St. Joseph Cathedral, which recognized the work of police officers, firefighters and other first responders who live and work in the Diocese of Buffalo. Although the concept of Blue Mass dates back to 1934, it is a new addition in this diocese, and since 2015, Bishop Malone has been committed to making this an annual tradition here.

The St. Mary's High School Performing Arts Department will present Billy St. John's Is There a Comic in the House? as this year's fall play. The play will be presented Friday, Nov. 4, and Saturday, Nov. 5, at 7:30 p.m. both nights in the St. Mary's Auditorium, 142 Laverack Ave., in Lancaster.

When Cheryl Calire unlocked the door to the former St. Adalbert rectory, she opened a new life for women and their babies. Through the Mother Teresa Home, she will offer a roof over the heads for homeless women who have chosen to raise their babies.